Past projects 24
A Greyhound and a Groundhog Visit the Art Room
Funded Oct 18, 2017Happy Holidays! Thank you so much for another unique experience. Books in an art classroom allow students to see "imagination."
Our school stresses the importance of reading and the librarian, reading specialists and I work together to scaffold lessons to support students reading endeavors.
The photographs of this experience are the class separated into small groups to read aloud. This event lasted for three days and was the last art activity before the Winter break. (The library closes those three days) I created reading spaces and displayed the books neatly on the tables in the art room. The lights were dimmed per the student's request and a fireplace was projected on the whiteboard. Students were allowed to select one book at a time and could choose to read the entire 45 minutes or use the last 20 minutes of class to create a book inspired artifact to take home. All grade levels participated in the event.
In a world filled with exciting video games and technology in abundance, I attempt to remind students the importance of using their imaginations to inspire themselves. Perusing the books that you donated allows them to go into a swamp and discuss adoption, they travel a city with a little girl and her dog seeing hearts of service experiences and take a journey with animal pirates.
Our school allows for many opportunities to read however as students get older they are pushed to read chapter books and illustrations are not as prevalent. Your books allowed their experience to be completely about understanding complicated text and ideas while enjoying the beautiful illustrations.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by The Association of Texas Professional Educators and 5 other donors.Girls Building Worlds
Funded Apr 19, 2017Thank you so much for allowing my students to have this time to create using all the tools you sent to them. The images included are of a first-grade class, however, taking the photos were some of the fifth-grade students who were part of the design team. I am sending the plan that two sisters created at home. One sister involved in the collaboration is a first-grader the other a fifth-grader. The first-grade team has had three class periods, so far, to create the city. The librarian offered her space to facilitate the experience and the students are up there for 45 minutes at a time. The last time they worked on the city they had an hour and a half.
Without the resources, you provided this would not have happened. While these students are in the library the homeroom class is in the art room creating and building cities created by two other female students. When the city in the library is created I will open up the opportunities to all my classes. RIght now the school is watching the team in progress as these girls build their world.
Last week I received a call for art from a local museum that focuses on figurative work. The city this team created has tiny figures with tiny stories happening within the city.
I am framing their plans and entering them in the show. They will have the opportunity to take their family and see the piece on the wall. I am moved just sending you this story.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
The Art Of Imagination-Using Books to Inspire
Funded Mar 29, 2017I am so excited to share this story. I have an art classroom that serves over 400 students. By this time of year, I am able to let the students self-direct their learning. The day after I received the books the students walked into the art room where several tables were covered with tablecloths and your books were laid out for the students to peruse. Before they chose, I opened up each book and using a projector I showed them how to follow the steps in an art book. I read pages from the I Spy books and other students shared their feelings about the I Spy books. I was able to give a small group of origami masters (students) the origami books and five of them sat and figured out the steps to a variety of origami animals. This is no small feat. This same origami group was able to then start teaching small groups of two students how to fold. Each student taught two kids and after that, they were all teaching each other. This has now blossomed into teaching the class. I have scheduled guest teachers (my students) who are coming to art to teach the class what they have learned while I manage the room. Students are stopping by my classroom to show me what they have created at home. It is very exciting to experience and even more transformative that I imagined.
In one class there is a student who picked up the architecture book and was able to create such an amazing rendition of a building that he is working by himself on his own studio project. He is working on a 24 x 36-inch piece of paper. This can be daunting for a third-grader however with the book in hand he assured me he would be fine. Rather than the students asking me for a "Free Draw" where an image is given to them, they are instead asking for a moment with your books. They turn the pages using the top right corner and lay them gently back on the bookshelf when the art class is over. The students have asked the librarian to get them a couple how to draw books for the school library. I have only had the books for a few weeks. I can't imagine what happens next year. Thank you so much for an opportunity to watch magic happen in Texas.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner
This classroom project was brought to life by Aspect Ventures and one other donor.Leaves Fall, We Draw!
Funded Nov 5, 2015Thank you so much for your donations to my class. In response, I've discussed with them the role we all have in philanthropy and the gifts of strangers that make a difference in their lives. Knowing that we all have a nature deficit, I combed two classes, pairing students together as art buddies, and took a field trip outside the classroom to use the sketchbooks you provided. Although its is hot here, and the playground is barren, I had them sit in the shade and use the background to recreate what they saw. They drew their own trees with such whimsy; I had them draw trees over several class periods. After receiving the paint, they painted the trees on black paper- imagining the playground at night.
As we were finishing, they decided to create a focal point and recreate themselves in bird form. When the projects were completed, the paintings were so good that I took a half dozen of them to the city-wide, district art show. For an afternoon, parents and art students celebrated their hard work! The pictures included are images from inside the art show with the students and their paintings. Not only do my students have little opportunity to own their art supplies, but having a book to chronicle the journey is as exciting for them as it was for me to receive your generous gift.
We have discussions about their progress, and with the sketchbooks they can record and view their art journey. I described for them the magic that comes from people believing in you. I explained that a complete stranger believed they were worthy of this art gift. In response, they have assured me that the pencils have, "magic powers that sense their inner thoughts and feelings to produce beautiful art." Naturally, they too understand the power of your generosity. Although they have not met you, you grace my art room every day as they diligently bring out their "magic pencils" to create art in their sketchbooks. This particular class now comes into my room early morning before school stars, as an art club of sorts. They sit and chat, making art and having discussions I could have never imagined about colors, details and what they did the night before. I listen and answer questions, but the time is theirs to explore. Thank you so much for answering the call of need for my students and believing in the Arts.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Conner